Peter Yates, RIP: Bullitt, Friends of Eddie Coyle, Breaking Away etc.
01-10-11, 01:54 AM
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Peter Yates, RIP: Bullitt, Friends of Eddie Coyle, Breaking Away etc.
British Director and Producer Peter Yates died yesterday. He was 82.
In 1968, Yates directed Bullitt, his first Hollywood film (Steve McQueen had been very impressed with his UK film, Robbery, from the previous year). After that he went on to do The Friends of Eddie Coyle, The Hot Rock, Murphy's War and many others. Fans also celebrate his sports film Breaking Away and geek classic Krull.
When Mr. Yates died yesterday, he left us with a great and influential body of work; director Edgar Wright was quick to praise his films, with Bullitt's opening credits as one his top ten cinema moments, and director Ben Affleck noted Eddie Coyle in the credits of his Boston crime thriller, The Town.
His most famous sequence is probably the still-amazing car chase in Bullitt.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z-7IEPTAoTg" frameborder="0"></iframe>
In 1968, Yates directed Bullitt, his first Hollywood film (Steve McQueen had been very impressed with his UK film, Robbery, from the previous year). After that he went on to do The Friends of Eddie Coyle, The Hot Rock, Murphy's War and many others. Fans also celebrate his sports film Breaking Away and geek classic Krull.
When Mr. Yates died yesterday, he left us with a great and influential body of work; director Edgar Wright was quick to praise his films, with Bullitt's opening credits as one his top ten cinema moments, and director Ben Affleck noted Eddie Coyle in the credits of his Boston crime thriller, The Town.
His most famous sequence is probably the still-amazing car chase in Bullitt.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z-7IEPTAoTg" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Last edited by DonnachaOne; 01-10-11 at 02:01 AM.
01-10-11, 02:52 AM
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Re: Peter Yates, RIP: Bullitt, Friends of Eddie Coyle, Breaking Away etc.
He did some good films.
'The Friends of Eddie Coyle' is my favorite from him.
'The Friends of Eddie Coyle' is my favorite from him.
01-10-11, 06:12 AM
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Re: Peter Yates, RIP: Bullitt, Friends of Eddie Coyle, Breaking Away etc.
Loved his commentary on Bullitt which was a bad ass flick. But Eddie Coyle is personal fave.
01-10-11, 08:57 AM
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Re: Peter Yates, RIP: Bullitt, Friends of Eddie Coyle, Breaking Away etc.
Damn. He made some very good movies - I absolutely love Breaking Away. RIP.
01-10-11, 09:39 AM
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Re: Peter Yates, RIP: Bullitt, Friends of Eddie Coyle, Breaking Away etc.
Sad news. He directed a couple decent thrillers in the 80s as well (Eyewitness and Suspect). I will always remember him for his 70s crime movies though. RIP 
01-10-11, 09:54 AM
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Re: Peter Yates, RIP: Bullitt, Friends of Eddie Coyle, Breaking Away etc.
I'm glad he was able to record a Coyle commentary before his passing. I'll have to check out Murphy's War and John and Mary.
01-10-11, 10:04 AM
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Re: Peter Yates, RIP: Bullitt, Friends of Eddie Coyle, Breaking Away etc.
Great work from a great director. I'm glad he made it all the way to 82. 
